Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on October 5, 2022
The shooting of Officer Mazurkiewicz in July in Rochester has been tied to a drug ring that the police were trying to shut down. Investigators determined the shooter, Vickers, was brought in from Boston to help in a gang war over the distribution of marijuana in Rochester. Police were cracking down after a string of shootings and arson. Vickers allegedly murdered at least 2 other men in this gang war before shooting the police as they sat in an unmarked van on Bauman Street. As part of the long-term investigation, 18 people have been arrested. Police seized 22 guns and 139 pounds of marijuana.
Winter is coming. And with winter, snow and the need for snowplow workers. Across the state, the New York State Department of Transportation is hiring fleet technicians and highway maintenance workers. The openings include both permanent and seasonal roles. 649 positions are currently available across the state, 86 of which are right here in Western New York. Some of the positions require a CDL. You can apply even if you don’t have a CDL license and the DOT offers in house training and road tests.
A 16-year-old girl arrested in connection with a stabbing at the Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management has been indicted on an assault charge. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says that the suspect attacked a 17-year-old girl at the school on West Huron Street last month. The victim spent two days in the hospital due to her injuries and is continuing to recover. The 16-year-old, who isn’t being identified due to her age, is scheduled to be back in court next month. She’s in the Erie County Youth Services Center without bail.
You’ve eaten their food whether you knew it or not. Sysco is one of the largest distributors of restaurant, school and hospital food in the nation and their New York workers are striking. Sysco Union workers say they have been working for almost 2 months without a contract in Buffalo, Rochester, Elmira and Syracuse. Sysco has hired replacement workers while the dispute is ongoing. There are reports of unrefrigerated trucks being used to transport frozen foods, restaurants not getting their shipments on time, and other issues stemming from the strike. Workers say the union has had 12 meetings but they have so far been fruitless.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center is being asked to approve renovations at Quality Inn and the Palm Island Indoor Waterpark. Formerly Quality Inn and Suites, 8250 Park Road, LLC would renovate the four-season tourism and hospitality facility’s water park, hotel rooms, lobby, event spaces, water park, and restaurant. The re-development proposes to create 38 new full-time jobs. The project is estimated to generate $32 of economic activity for every $1 of local public benefits. 8250 Park Road, LLC is requesting sales tax exemptions estimated at $458,400, a property tax abatement of approximately $659,521, and a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $80,000.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will hold its Annual Meeting and Recognition Breakfast on Oct. 27, at 8 a.m. at Terry Hills Restaurant. CCE of Genesee County invites you to join them for breakfast and help recognize employees and volunteers. Cornell Cooperative Extension friends, volunteers and members of the community are welcome to attend. Volunteers of the Year Joanna Miller of 4-H, Eric Holliday of Leadership Genesee and Lori Gattie of the Master Gardener program, plus Friend of CCE 2022 Julia Garver will be recognized during this time. You can register by going to the CCE website or calling 585 343 3040 extension 123.
Early voting for the November 8th Midterm election and Governor’s race will begin on October 29th at the ARC Center at 38 Woodrow Rd in Batavia. Hours of operation are from 9 to 5 the 29th through the 6th with the exception of Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd being noon to 8. November 8th all polling places will be open from 6 to 9. The last day for absentee ballots to be requested is October 24th. Go to absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov to apply for one. In person applications can be made all the way up to November 7th and ballots must be postmarked by the 8th and received by the 15th. Military ballots must be in by the 21st. If you haven’t registered to vote you must do so by the 14th to be able to Vote.
Some of the best dancers in the country are going to be making an appearance in Buffalo next year. The cast of “Dancing With The Stars: Live” will take the stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 24th. Performers who are expected to be at the show include Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater and Britt Stewart plus some special guests. Tickets go on sale this Friday and can be purchased by visiting dwtstour.com.
A man from Queens is accused of trying to illegally slither across the border. Not him specifically, but the several Burmese pythons he had stuck down his pants. 36 year old Calvin Bautista had 3 pythons in his pants on a bus which was coming across the border from Canada to the US. He was caught by border patrol and is awaiting trial. He was released without the snakes on his own recognizance.
